WHITEWOOD, S.D. – A Whitewood historian and author is being recognized for her efforts to preserve South Dakota history.
Mary Gallup Livingston has been nominated for the Spirit of Dakota Award, which honors women who demonstrate leadership and service to their communities across the state.
Livingston, a retired special education teacher, has written several books documenting the history of western South Dakota and the Northern Hills. In recent years, she dedicated four years to researching South Dakota sailors who served aboard the USS Indianapolis, which was sunk during World War II.
Her research led to the identification of 18 South Dakota crew members and helped secure military headstones for five servicemen whose graves had gone unmarked for decades. A ceremony honoring those sailors was held earlier this year at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Livingston says preserving local history is important because many stories risk being lost over time. She continues to work on new history projects focused on the Black Hills and Great Plains.
The Spirit of Dakota Award ceremony is scheduled for October 3 in Huron.
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